Arrest Made in Thomasville Walmart Shooting

Thomasville police say 17-year-old Johnathan Brown has confessed to shooting and robbing Mark Sbarra outside of the Wal-Mart in Thomasville on April 2nd.

"The Thomasville Police Department assisted the Thomas County Sheriff's Office in reference to a suspicious person who had possibly stolen a van. The sheriff's office attempted to make a traffic stop on the suspect," said Lt. Eric Hampton of the Thomasville Police Department.

That's when police say Brown wrecked the stolen van. He then attempted to get away on foot on 19 South, but was caught near the train tracks early Monday morning.

"While in custody and during the questioning and interrogation, Mr. Brown has confessed to several crimes," said Hampton.

Police say Brown was wanted not only for the armed robbery at the Wal-Mart in Thomaville, but also for a rash of other crimes throughout Thomas County including another shooting.

Thomasville Police and the Thomas County Sheriff's Office confirm that late last month, Brown was connected to a robbery at Georgia Car Credit. Police say he also confessed to an attempted robbery and shooting at a Publix and the armed robbery at the Walmart in Thomasville. Deputies say he also stole two vehicles during the crime spree.

"We really didn't realize he was as young as he was when we started to pursue him, but it was sort of a surprise," said Hampton._____________________________

Thomasville, Georgia -- April 3, 2012 -

Thomasville Police Department has released the name of the man who was shot at Wal-Mart early Monday morning.

Police say Mark Sbarra is being identified as the man who was sweeping up the Wal-Mart parking lot at around 2 a.m. Monday morning. According to police, Sbarra was shot in the back and struck while on the ground before being robbed of his wallet by an unkown assailant. He is still in the hospital and is expected to be ok.

The Thomasville Police Department is now offering a $3,000 reward leading to the arrest of the suspect. He is described as 5'9 to 6'0 black male with dreadlocks possibly being worn in a ponytail and has an injury to one of his hands._____________________________

Thomasville, Georgia -- April 2, 2012 -

A man just doing his job outside of Wal-Mart in Thomasville Monday morning was the victim of a brutal attack.

"Officers responded to Wal-Mart in reference to a robbery with possible shots fired, upon arriving there was a victim that had indeed been shot," said Lt. Eric Hampton of the Thomasville Police Department.

A 51 year-old Thomasville man who's name has not been released was found in the parking lot. He was transported to Archbold hospital and is now in stable condition.

Police say they believe the victim was shot more than one time, assaulted while on the ground, and robbed of his wallet.

Investigators say surveillance video shows the suspect driving a stolen vehicle around the parking lot. They believe he then hid and waited for the victim.

The stolen vehicle has since been recovered. The police department has also released information on the man they believe to be the suspect.

"Suspects is going to be described as a black male between 5'9 and 6'. He has five to six inch dreadlocks, and he's going to wear this possibly in a ponytail behind his head. We believe the suspect also has an injury to one of his hands."

Detectives believe the injury was sustained during a robbery in Thomas County late last week.

Police are asking anyone with information on a man who fits the description to come forward. They can also contact Crime Stoppers in Thomasville anonymously at 229-227-3305____________________________

Thomasville, Georgia - April 2, 2012 -

Thomasville Police are searching for a man who they say shot another person at Wal-mart. Police say the victim of the shooting was cleaning the parking lot around 2 a.m. Monday morning when the suspect approached him and demanded his wallet. The victim tried to get away but was shot in the back. The suspect then hit the victim while he was on the ground and fled with the wallet. The victim is now at Archbold Memorial Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

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